Free kidney transplant for the poor soon

CEBU, Philippines - Before the year 2010, kidney disease was not included in the top 10 killer diseases for Filipinos. But starting two years ago, renal disease has been the 9th killer disease in the country and fifth in Central Visayas.

“There is an increasing incidence of renal disease because we adapted to the western lifestyle … the reason why younger generation has been more susceptible to the disease and become less productive. It is very alarming that we need enough further information dissemination,” said Dr. Jon Li, Internist – Nephrologist at the Chong Hua Hospital

Dr. Li elaborated that by western lifestyle he meant the proliferation of fastfood chains and the spread of the smoking habit which is prevalent in call centers. Filipinos, he added, like eating junk foods and other salty foods like dried fish, salted shrimp paste and others.

There is good news, however, for those needing renal transplant.

 “There is a program which will be launched asking renal doctors to perform transplants even to the marginalized sectors, the poorest of the poor for free,” announced Dr. Alvin Roxas, nephrologist and transplant surgeon at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. 

Roxas, however, refused to disclose further details as they are still drawing up the guidelines.

“Eating unhealthy foods is killing the people,” Dr. Roxas said.

Moreover, the doctors announced at the Kapihan sa PIA that there is now an option available for those needing dialysis, and this is called peritoneal dialysis.

 “Peritoneal Dialysis is the new mode of dialysis in the Philippines. It will allow you to assume a normal day to day activity. Peritoneal dialysis is almost the same with chemo dialysis. The advantage of the former is that, you are dialyzing at home, at your own time. You decide when to do it and how many times you do it depending on your body, but of course with strict medical supervision,” explained Dr. Li.

Most of Cebu’s hospitals are now offering peritoneal dialysis, revealed Dr. Nida Bautista of the Department of Health.

In the Philippines, diabetes remains on top of the list of causes of deaths followed by hypertension. This is the same trend in the international scene, said Li. 

Bautista said the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the Visayas are heart and circulatory system diseases, pneumonia, cerebrovascular diseases, cancer of any type, diseases of the reproductive organs and kidney, diabetes, pulmonary TB, sepsis of all kinds, injuries and bronchial asthma.

In the Kapihan sa PIA, Dr. Roxas noted that dialysis units are mushrooming in Cebu.

“Doing dialysis three to four times a week, plus the other medicines needed, a person will probably be spending a million or two in the next one or two years. They are not actually being cured because dialysis is never a cure,” Dr. Roxas said.

Li further explained that we are on the era of preventive medicine. The health department is doing a campaign in trying to change the lifestyle of the Filipinos. Li and the director of the Department of Health -7, Asunsion Anden, said that diet, lifestyle change, exercise, weight loss and the decision to stop smoking are very important preventive measures.

Based on the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) data, the collecting agency for renal diseases, in Cebu there are 154 male and 136 female patients or a total of 290 patients. There are 108 patients in Bohol, 37 in Negros Oriental, and 2 in Siquijor.

Dr. Li gave few tips on basic lifestyle modification or intervention:

 “Diet. Don’t eat too much salt. Avoid junk foods. Eat fruits and green leafy vegetables. Establish a healthy lifestyle. Do 30-45 minutes exercise 3 to 4 times a week.”

Moderate exercise is important just like walking. “Instead of taking the cab, or taking the jeepney, why don’t you walk till the next stop? You don’t have to do exercise in just one time,” he said. “Of course you have to cease smoking. You can drink, but drink much less. Since we are in a tropical climate, drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration. Have a yearly urinalysis,” he added.

Dr. Bautista also said that we need to take blood pressure twice a year and have complete immunization for children.

“If unfortunately you became part of the dialysis community, always remember that you have options. Cebu is very fortunate of being one of the very few centers outside Manila who has a very vibrant kidney transplant. Vicente Sotto being a government hospital has the most number of transplants ever done in Cebu than all the transplant centers in Cebu,” he said.

—(FREEMAN)